Those opposing a marijuana sales tax ballot question are looking to replicate a successful campaign event in Denver by handing out free joints at 11 a.m. Monday on Boulder's Pearl Street Mall.

Organizers are billing the giveaway as both a campaign event and flood relief, giving joints to medical marijuana patients and “stressed-out recreational users” who may have lost their stashes in the flooding. Flood relief donations also will be accepted at the event.

“Boulder has been victimized by floods,” said Rob Corry, who helped organize the event and hopes to defeat Proposition AA, a statewide pot tax measure. “We want to bring some flood relief to folks.”

At Monday's Boulder event, the free joints will be given to anyone over 21 in attendance. Organizers are asking people not to light up, which is illegal in public. Smoking of any kind also is prohibited on the Pearl Street Mall. The event itself is legal and is allowed by the city, organizers said.

Police watched from a distance at a similar Denver event earlier this month, staying away even when a few people lit up their joints. Police officials later said that they didn't want to risk inciting a riot over a petty offense.

“I'm sure there won't be too much public consumption (at the Boulder event),” Corry said.

Proposition AA is a statewide ballot question that will ask voters in November to approve a 15 percent excise tax and an initial 10 percent sales tax that could be raised up to 15 percent. That would be in addition to the existing sales taxes.

BOSTON -- A total of 22 applicants for medical marijuana dispensaries were eliminated on Monday from competition by the state Department of Public Health.

The process now leaves 158 applicants for dispensary licenses for medical marijuana, down from 181 initial applicants. In addition to the 22 eliminated by the state, one company withdrew.

A total of 22 applicants failed to pass a first phase of vetting by the state that looked at finances, nonprofit status, and possible criminal backgrounds of companies.

In a stiff financial hurdle, applicants needed to demonstrate they have at least $500,000 in liquid capital to pass the first phase.

In Western Massachusetts, one applicant failed to pass muster in Franklin County, none were eliminated in Hampden County and one was cut out in Hampshire County, according to an updated list from the state.

That leaves five applicants in Franklin, 11 in Hampden and five in Hampshire. All cleared the first phase in Berkshire, which has three applicants for dispensary licenses.